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: 

I 



FROM THE HEART 
OF A FOLK 



A BOOK OF SONGS 



BY 



WAVERLEY TURNER CARMICHAEL 



WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY 

JAMES HOLLY HANFORD 




BOSTON 
THE CORNHILL COMPANY 



Copyright 1918 
By the CORNHILL COMPANY 



i 






OCT lOlyib 

©Ci.A506l09 



TO 

mg jiottfer 



Digitized by the Internet Archive 
in 2011 with funding from 
The Library of Congress 



http://www.archive.org/details/fromheartoffolkbOOcarm 



INTRODUCTION 

When Waverley Carmichael, as a student in 
my summer class at Harvard, brought me one 
day a modest sheaf of his poems, I felt that in 
him a race had become or at least was becoming 
articulate. We have had, it is true, sympa- 
thetic portrayals of Negro life and feeling from 
without; we have had also the poems of Dun- 
bar, significant of the high capabilities of the 
Negro as he advances far along the way of 
civilization and culture. The note which is 
sounded in this little volume is of another sort. 
These humble and often imperfect utterances 
have sprung up spontaneously from the soul of a 
primitive and untutored folk. The rich emo- 
tion, the individual humor, the simple wisdom, 
the naive faith which are its birthright, have 
here for the first time found voice. It is suffi- 
cient to say of Waverley Carmichael that he is 
a full blooded southern negro, that until last 
summer he has never been away from his 
native Alabama, that he has had but the most 
limited advantages of education, and that he 
has shared the portion of his race in hardship, 
poverty, and toil. He does not know why he 
wrote these poems. It is an amazing thing 
that he should have done so — a freak, we may 
call it, of the wind of genius, which bloweth 
where it listeth and singles out one in ten thou- 
sand to find a fitting speech for the dumb 
thought and feeling of the rest. 

But we need not base the claim of Carmichael 
to the attention of the public merely on con- 

[vH] 



siderations of this sort. His work speaks for 
itself. It is original and sincere. It follows 
no traditions and suffers no affectation. It is 
artless, yet it reaches the goal of art. The 
rhythms, especially of some of the religious 
pieces, are of a kind which is beyond the reach 
of effort. He has rightly called them melodies. 
Occasionally there is, it seems to me, a touch of 
something higher, as in the haunting refrain of 
the lyric " Winter is Coming." 

De yaller leafs are falling fas' 
Fur summer days is been and pas'; 
The air is blowin' mighty cold. 
Like it done in days of old. 

But this is rare. Oftenest the characteristic 
note is humor, or tender melancholy relieved 
by a philosophy of cheer and courage, and the 
poetic virtue is that of simple truth. We are 
reminded of no poet so strongly as of Burns. 

What Waverley Carmichael may accomplish 
in the future I do not know. But certainly 
in this volume he has entitled himself to the 
gratitude of his own race and to the sympathetic 
appreciation of all who have its interests and 
those of true poetry at heart. 

JAMES HOLLY HANFORD. 



[ viii ] 



CONTENTS 

FACE 

Mammy's Baby Scared 3 

'Taint No Need o' Women Worrin' 4 

I. Ain't Turn Sussie Out 6 

De Signs o' Spring 8 

The Old Mill 9 

It's All Through Life 10 

Eligia, the Bad Boy 11 

Scolding Baby Boy 12 

The Escort . 13 

The Night I Went to Church .14 

Sleep On Ye Happy Sons 16 

The Day of Freedom 17 

My Little Cabin Home 18 

The Lover's Spat 19 

Snow Hill 21 

The Invitation 22 

A Word to Ethiopia 23 

Booker T. Washington 24 

Paul Lawrence Dunbar 25 

I Am Ma' an' Papa' Baby .26 

The Flower 27 

When the Different Churches Meet 28 

lUseterDres' 29 

Where Hearts Are Gay 30 

Home Instruction 31 

The New Year's Resolve ^ .... 32 

Labor On 33 

Forget Me Not 34 

Annoyance 35 

Der Fiddle Is My Comfort 36 

The Favorite Diet 37 

Good After 111 38 

The Prayer of the Faithful 39 

A Daily Prayer 40 

Keep Me, Jesus, Keep Me 41 

Run on Home 42 

Sing on to Jesus 43 

Seek the Lost 44 

You'll Reap What You Sony " 45 

fix 1 



<i 



CONTENTS 

PAGB 

Move On ........ 46 

The Departure ».„......,... 47 

'Twas Mother ......... ..... 49 

The Mother's Farewell to Her Son ^ .....,» 50 

Take Me Home 51 

The Day of Repentance .52 

What Have I Done 53 

When the Way Seems Dark . 54 

In the Hour of Death 55 

Eventide 56 

Winter Is Coming 57 

The Combat 58 

Red, White, and Blue 59 

Sing Out for Peace 60 



FROM THE HEART OF A FOLK 



MAMMY'S BABY SCARED 

Hush now, mammy's baby scaid, 
Don' it cry, eat yo' bread; 
Nothin' aint goin' bother you, 
Does', it bothers mammy too. 

Mammy aint goin' left it 'lone 
Wile de chulen all are gone; 
Hush, now, don' it cry no mo'e, 
Aint goin' lay it on de flo'. 

Hush now, finish out yo' nap. 
Wile I make yo' luttle cap; 
Blessid luttle sugar-pie, 
Hush now, baby, don' it cry. 

Mammy's goin' to make its dres', 
Go to sleep an' take yo' res'; 
Hush now, don' it cry no mo'e, 
Aint goin' lay you on de flo'. 



[3] 



" TAINT NO NEED O' WOMEN 
WORRIN' '' 

Taint no need o^ women worrin' 'bout dese 

sorry men, 
Dey just lack a paper bag w'en it's full o' win' ; 
Dey will call us sugar-pie an' will treat us nice 
Till dey git us horn' wid dem^ fur to be dere 

wife; 
T'ings will go 'long very well, fur a week er two, 
Den you'll see 'em sittin' roun' frownin' atter 

you; 
Taint a bit o' need o' worrin' 'bout dese sorry 

men, 
Dey just lack a paper bag w'en it's full o' win'. 

Wen dey walk erlong wid you holdin' ter yo' 

arm, 
Don't you mind 'em, dats a stunt, dey are full 

o' harm; 
Dey kin tell de biggest lies mos' you ever 

seen, 
An' kin pet an' honey you lack you wus a 

queen; 
One caught up wid me las' night strutin' wid a 

cane, 
Rais'd 'is hat an' gine a bow, '' How'd do Mis' 

Lizer Jane "; 
I didn' axe him how he done, dat was a hint to 

him 
Dat I pufur'd a paper bag w'en it's full o' 

win'. 



[4] 



'Tis best to keep 70' yes one dem dey'll fool you 

if dey kin, 
Den go eroun' an' make dere brag to all de other 



men; 



Dey'll come eroun' an' talk sweet talk an' wont 

let you res'5 
But let 'em git you fur a wife dey'll beat you 

outer bre'th 
Wen you see dat dey aint no good just let 'em 

pas' on by, 
'Case sho' as you fool 'long wid dem, dem fools 

'11 make you cry, 
Taint no use o' women worrin' 'bout dese sorry 

men, 
Fur dey just lack a paper bag w'en it's full o' 



win'. 



If I eber marry one, he sho's got to work, 
Fo' I ain't goin' kill myself w'le he sit an' shirk; 
Many women are today almos' in dere graves 
'Case dey work demselves to de'th lack dey 

wus all slaves; 
Say, w'at you t'ink of Jaboc Quinn, he is 

mighty nice 
An' you kno' I's promis'd him I would be 'is 

wife; 
Let me stop my crazy talk, I kno' I love de men, 
If dey are lack a paper bag, w'en it's full o' win'. 



[51 



I AINT TURN SUSSIE OUT 

*^ Hoi' on, what you mean 
By walkin' wid a man ? 
Bet rU knock you to de groun', 
An' roll you in de san'. 
Wat you look like tryin' ter court, 
I aint yet turn you out; 
Look out Miss you'er mighty fas', 
Mind what you erbout. 

" Young man you better go on hom' 
Befo'e you make me mad, 
'Cause I'll git ter fightin' hyeah, 
An' sayin' somethin' bad; 
Dis gal aint ole ernough ter court, 
No, I aint turn her out; 
You's mighty high, I likes you' nerve, 
Mine what yo's erbout. 

" I want it stric'ly understood, 
Dat you can't court my daughter. 
If I kech you wid hur ergain 
You'll move off like an' auter; 
Dis Bama Jones you foolin' wid, 
I aint no ' scrubby nigger,' 
My mammy sho' sent me ter school, 
An' I kin read an' figger. 



[6] 



^ Wat you rec'on I look like, 
Lettin setch a thing as you 
Walk long side a gal o' mine 
An' especi'lly little Sue? 
Take dat road an' go on horn', 
Fo'e yo' nigger make me mad, 
Else rU git to fightin' hyeah, 
An' sayin' somethin' bad." 



[71 



DE SIGNS O' SPRING 

Wen de thrushes in de tree 
'Gins to sing a merry song, 
Its a putty good ole sign 
Dat de winter days aint long. 

Wen de trees begin to bud 
In de meadow far an' near; 
You kin put yo' foot erpoun it 
Dat spring time is comin' hyeah. 

All de flowers in de woods 
'Gins to look so sweet an' dear; 
An' de darkies all are singin' 
'Cause dey kno' dat spring is hyeah, 

Wen de days are growin' warm, 
You kin hyeah de voices clear 
O'er de meadow far an' wide, 
Gladly sayin' " spring is hyeah." 



[8] 



THE OLD MILL 

Near de margin of de stream 

'Neath a towerin' hill, 

In the field's shadow and gleam, 

Stands de dear ole mill; 

Ye're have come an' pass'd erway 

Since she took her stand. 

Near de stream dat slowly glides 

O'er the gleamin' sand. 

Rain has fall'n an' win' has bio' 
'Gainst her mossy walls; 
An' she tosses to an' fro 
As the win' about her falls; 
Tossin' frum de early morn 
Till de eventide =— 
Near the margin of de stream 
Were de shinin' water glide. 

Dear to one an' true to all 
As she lifts her ole wo'n head, 
Toilin' ebery day but one 
Makin' daily bread; 
An' she toils and murmurs not 
In de wea'ther that betides, 
'Neath de shadow of de hill 
Were de ole stream glides. 



[9] 



IT'S ALL THROUGH LIFE 

A day of joy, a week of pain, 

A sunny day, a week of rain; 

A day of peace, a year of strife; 

But cling to Him, it's all through life. 

An hour of joy, a day of fears. 
An hour of smiles, a day of tears; 
An hour of gain, a day of strife. 
Press on, press on, it's all through life, 



[10] 



ELIGIA, THE BAD BOY 

" Jest look at 'em — 'e got on my dres' " 

" Sister Fannie is 'e got on yo' dres'? " 

^' Yes! an' 'e got my shoes." 

" Well cetch de little devil an' beat 'em good, 

If I jest could see 'em I 'ould beat 'em ter 
de'th." 
^' Well Isac 'e got on my hat." 
" Doggon' it; is 'e got yo' hat.^ " 
" Yes! an' 'e got on my dres'. " 
" Well cetch de little scamp an' gea yo' bes'; 

If I jest could see 'em I 'ould beat 'em ter 
de'th." 
** Confound'd 'e got on my specks." 

Don' tell me 'e got on yo' specks! " 

Yes! an' 'e got on my hat." 

Well cetch de little scamp an' beat 'im good 

If I jest could see 'em I 'ould beat 'em to 
de'th." 



[11] 



SCOLDING BABY BOY 

Wats de matter wid you boy. 
Hush an' eat dat bread, 
Fo'e I take dis firer stick 
Crack you side de head. 

Act like you aint got no sense, 
Bawlin' like a fool; 
Wallowin' doun dere on de flo', 
Like you was a mule. 

I's goin' tell you now in time 
You can have your way; 
Runnin' all ercross de house, 
Hollerin' all de day. 

Bet not have me spank you boy, 
Hush sar, stop dat cryin'; 
Set doun dere sar on dat chest, 
Scrape dat melFyon rine. 



[12] 



THE ESCORT 

I went horn' wid me gal las' night 

Dat darlin' little mis', 

An' time we start off frum de church 

I ask'd hur fur a kis'; 

She drapp'd hur head an' kind o' blush 

Den say, '' I recon' so "; 

I kis'd hur 'bout a dozen times 

An' den she ask'd fur mo'. 

I felt like I wus Vanderbuilt 

Gwine walkin' long so calm, 

W'ie Anges Lee dat darlin' maid 

Wus leanin' on my arm. 

Erbout two miles frum church she live, 

I didn't mind de walk; 

I wus over glad to go wid hur 

So we could laugh an' talk. 

We walk 'long veary slo' you kno' 

As lovers generally does. 

She promis'd dat she would be mine 

I promis'd to be hurs; 

W'en we go to hur mammy's gate 

Dat darlin' little mis', 

Jest throw hur arms eroun' my neck 

An' greet me wid a kis'. 



[IB] 



THE NIGHT I WENT TO CHURCH 

I went to church de other night, 
Dat preacher sho' did preach. 
Till ebery body in de church 
Wus standin' on dere feet; 
Aunt Susan went an' caught 'is han' 
An' bow'd an' jump an' bio'; 
Atter w'ile she gine a jerk, 
An' snatch'd 'im to de flo'. 

Aunt Susan said, " scuse me, 
De spirit's wid me now, 
I wants to git ole Satin out 
An' chaise 'im fur a roun' "; 
De preacher look'd eroun' an' said, 
" Dat spirit sho' am strong; 
Next time you keep it in yo' han' 
Ca'se dat's where it belong." 

Aunt Lottie stood right by my side 

An'hoUer'd, "Aintdatso"; 

Dan she gine one dem holy jumps 

An' land doun on my toe; 

I jump'd an' fell ercross a bench, 

Amen, amen, dey cry; 

Den some one jump'd erpon dat bench, 

An' struck me in de eye. 

Wen meetin' broke I started horn', 
Religin on my min'; 
I looks back down de lonesome road — 
A shape wus right behin' 

[14] 



Dat's jest 'bout twice as tall as me, 
An' seem as w'ite as sno'; 
Wen he got right 'long by my side, 
He say " good evenin' Joe." 

Den boy, I hit a lickin' pace 

An' run wid all my might; 

I quit de road an' took de trail 

Dat leads off to de right 

Fur 'bout a mile I burn de win', 

Den I wus veary tir'd; 

I sot doun on a log to res', 

He eased doun by my side. 

Up oft dat log I gine a leap, 

An' tried my bes' to fly; 

He reach'd an' caught me by de hair, 

Hit look lak' I would die; 

I leap' ercross de fishin' creek 

An' I gine a whoop an' squall; 

I'us comin' through dem piney woods 

Jes' lak' a rifle ball. 



[151 



SLEEP ON YE HAPPY SONS 

Sleep on ye happy sons 
Beneath the trodden soil; 
Sleep on in Paradise, 
'Tis there ye have no toiL 

Ye served your country well, 
When she was most in need; 
And planted in her bowers, 
A pure and worthy seed. 

Ye gave to us the right 
To live as others live; 
For this we do adore. 
And to ye honor give. 

Sleep on ye happy sons 
Within your silent grave; 
Sleep on in Paradise 
Among the good and brave 



[16] 



THE DAY OF FREEDOM 

It wus one day 'bout one erclock, 

I nuver will forgit it; 

De niggers all wus jumpin' 'roun, 

Jest like a drove o' crickits. 

" We done got free at las' " dey cried, 

An' dey wus jest a singin'; 

Could hyeah the soun' o' niggers' voice, 

All through de woods a ringin'. 

I cut de ole time " pigion wing " 

Den start on " twistfurcation " 

Fur twas de only way I kno' 

To have my celerbration. 

Sis Juddie jine me in the dance 

An' den we went to swingin', 

Wile people pat dere hands an' sung 

Like bells in heaben ringin'. 

It was a grand an' mighty day 
Wen all dat host of menses, 
Came ridin' to ole masser' yard 
An' toe doun all de fenceses; 
Den dey begin to bio' dem horns 
An' horses wus a prancin', 
I threw dat child doun out my lap 
An' man I went to dancin'. 



[17] 



MY LITTLE CABIN HOME 

Not a place on earth I kno' 
Dat I love ^s well 
As my little cabin horn' 
Where I use ter dwell; 
Through de woods I use ter go 
Huntin' fur de coon; 
Walkin' by oh greamin' light 
Of de silver moon. 

Many days I play'd erbout 

'Neath de shady trees; 

Where I hear'd de hummin' sound 

Of de buisy bees: 

Dearest little cabin home. 

Yes, I love you still; 

I kin see you in my dreams 

Sittin' on de hill. 



[18] 



THE LOVER'S SPAT 

My darlin' I sho' love you 

But you don' treat me right; 
W'a make you let dat guy go 

Back hom' wid you las' night? 
You kno' dat thing got way wid me 

Wen you did me excuse; 
I want to be wid you so bad 

To hyeah de lattes' news. 

You sho' did build some bridge las' night, 

Yer built it 'cross my nose; 

You said you thought a lot of me 

To tute me I supose: 

I kno' ole Dick done been eround 

An' make 'is gread big brag; 

'Cause all de boys dat lives eround 

Is got me fur a gag. 

Why don' you be a lady true 

An' love one at a time, 

Dis flirtin' am a dangerous thing. 

An' too it is a crime; 

It make me sick doun in my heart 

Wen I think how you done, 

If I ketch Dick wid you ergain 

Somebody sho' goin' run. 

He goes to be a mighty *' tush " 
But I's not scared o' him; 
If ever I lay hands on Dick 
I'll beat him out 'er win'; 

[19] 



Hush! don' you say a thing to me 
You's almos' made me sick 
You play setch trick wid me ergain 
ril gea you 'nough o' Dick. 

Come hyeah honey to yo love, 

Hush now baby, don' it cry; 

Aint goin' hurt my choc'late drop, 

Blessid little sugar pie. 

I don' kno' w'at I would do 

Dout my little Miss; 

Let me hug you one more time 

An' gea you a kiss. 



[20] 



SNOW HILL 

A mother true, a mother wise 

This is the name she bears; 

She's sowing truth throughout the land, 

To serve in coming years. 

Upon the hearts of earnest youths 

Who march to her bright dawn, 

She is writing there a precious theme; 

Sing, pray and labor on. 

A mother who is walking down 

The narrow rugged lane, 

To reach the goal which stands afar 

In everlasting fame. 

Though trials come on every side, 

Her aim is bright and true; 

Through storms our mother will endure 

And make our lives anew. 

A mother dear, a mother true 

This mother is Snow Hill; 

Whose lesson is to labor on 

And do our Sovereign's will. 

And well thou knowest mother mine 

That life is not all ease 

Thus there may'st suffer many pain 

While bringing in the sheaves. 



[21] 



THE INVITATION 

A week ergo, las' Wednesday night 
I got an invitation; 
To visit Parson Davis' home 
Wile off on my vacation. 

I started two days in advance 
To make all preparation; 
So when I walked into de house 
Dey 'ould see my decoration. 

I look my black suit through an' through 
An' gine to it a cleanin'; 
Dat almos' hurt dem people's eyes, 
'Cause it had setch a gleamin'. 

De night came on for me to fill 
Dat most distinct engagement; 
You kno' dose envious Johnson boys 
Tried to break up my 'rangement. 

Dey told er many different things 
Which all prov'd to be fakers; 
'Cause every body know' dem boys 
To be good faker makers. 

I gine myself an' early start 
To take a good neat dressin'; 
So when I face dem putty maids 
I 'ould make a good impressin'. 

I made a good impressin' too 
I won de heart o' Mammie; 
An' jest had been a luttle mo' 
I 'ould stole de heart o' Channie. 

[ 22 ] 



A WORD TO ETHIOPIA 

No race has had such chilly days 

As thou, O Mother race; 

Nor had the veil of darkness drawn 

Before its lonely face; 

What pains and sorrows thou hast had 

Through these lamenting years; 

What burdens given thee to bear, 

What griefs and bitter tears. 

No race could bear this heavy load 

As thou, and not have died; 

Fate cast thee on a mighty sea, 

Swept by a raging tide. 

Thy sons have known but toil and woe 

O noble Mother race; 

Suffering snares on every side, 

And insults to the face. 

'Tis better that thou struggle on, 

O ravished Mother race; 

For 'neath the skies where others dwell 

Thou'lt win a worthy place. 

Though it is dark, go on and on 

O Mother race of mine; 

For ere thy distant goal is won 

Glory will on thee shine. 



[23] 



BOOKER T. WASHINGTON 

Washington, true noble son 

Of Ethiopia's pride; 

Over the land thy deeds have flown 

On fame's rising tide. 

What a shelter your hands built 
In the land of flowers 
That the lowly may enjoy 
Bright and happy hours. 

How faithful was your toil for us, 
O Ethiopia's star; 

What struggles you have had for us 
In life's great wan 

Your life was all of care and toil, 
Each hour, each night and day; 
You cleared the forest of life for us 
And made an open way. 

Sleep on, O hero, and find rest 
In that bright home above; 
Rest from your labors and your toil, 
And know your people's love. 



[24] 



PAUL LAWRENCE DUNBAR 

O Dunbar! the son of everlasting fame, 

Thou served'st thy race, thy country-men, but 

not in vain; 
The everlasting lessons thou hast taught 
Are lights by which our fortunes may be 

wrought; 
Thy songs we sing o'er rugged hill and plains, 
Dost soothe our daily heartaches and our pains. 

Thou marched into the world among the brave, 
And all the way was forward to thy early grave; 
Toiling each day for those that never knew; 
Inspiring them to live serene and true; 
Thou wast the guide on pathways we must go. 
The mighty teacher who taught us dreams to 
sow. 

Oh, Dunbar, the son of Ethiopian blood, 
Thou soarest above life's raging tides and flood; 
Rest in thy peace beyond the distant sky. 
Thy memory is in our hearts never to die. 
Dunbar, Dunbar! of everlasting fame. 
Thy service we honor and thy genius claim! 



[25] 



I AM MA' AN' PAPA' BABY 

Go 'way from me an' le' me 'lone, 

You worry me to death; 

If you jest pull my year ergain 

I'll beat you out 'er breath; 

I want you kno' jest who I am; 

I aint nobody crazy; 

Go 'way frum me an' le' me 'lone, 

I am ma' an' papa' baby. 

You come eround an' play wid me 

So you kin eat my bread; 

An' ebery time you git a chance 

You bump me 'gain' de head. 

I is tired puttin' up wid you, — 

You say dat I is crazy; 

You must be fool, you little brat, 

I am ma' an' papa' baby. 

You wan' be still, look at you now, 

Jes' grinnin' like a cat; 

Confoun' yo' little crazy time, 

Don' set right on my hat. 

I is goin' hom' erway frum you, 

You ack lack you is crazy; 

I don' want you ter play wid me, 

I am ma' an' papa' baby. 



[26] 



THE FLOWER 

A pretty little flower 
Stood smiling on the way; 
And welcomed every traveler, 
On a bright sunny day. 

It seemed to smile and whisper 
To those who passed it by, 
And say, " My little children 
Why do you weep and cry/' 

" Come take me as thy comfort, 
For 'tis my mission here 
To cheer the weak and weary 
And help their burden bean 

" We all may be a flower 
Along life's path of night, 
And scatter there bright sunshine. 
That men may walk in light." 



[27] 



WHEN THE DIFFERENT CHURCHES 

MEET 

You talkin^ 'bout a time in toun, 
It was in las' September; 
Wen all de different churches 'roun' 
Came hyeah wid ebery 'member. 

Sis Fannie frum de Hard shell church 
Wus pointed by de men; 
To sing dat good ole song of deres, 
Dey call dere fav'rite hymn. 

Sis Bettie frum de Meth'dist church 
Was pointed by de quir' 
To sing dat good ole Meth'dist hymn, 
Till she had made 'em cry. 

But Ned from Shiloah Baptis' church, 
Wus pointed by de board. 
To sing dat good ole Baptis' song, 
Dat glorify de Lord 

An' man, dey done some singin' to, 
I want to tell you dat; 
It made Sis Hannah Bonner shout 
Till she tored up her hat. 



[28] 



I USE TER DRES' 

Wen I wus a courtin' man 
My, I used to dres'; 
I wouldn't go to see a gal 
Unless I wore a ves\ 

I wore dem locus bussom shirts 
An' had 'em w'ite as sno'; 
I have had four o' dem putty studs 
All strung doun in a ro'. 

I had a long Prince Albert coat 
Dat cam' down ter me knee. 
An' w'en I got ter dancin' 'roun 
It hum jes like a bee. 

I 'member once I had a hat 
Dat temp'd gals passin' by, 
An' w'en I put dat rascal on 
It made de fellers cry, 

I see youal' wear yo' English suit. 
Done quit lox lack an' peg; 
Yo' britchins fit you like yo' skin, 
An' come half way you' leg. 

You's got to many styles fur me 
An' none don' worth a cent; 
You'd better kept dat money, boy, 
To spen' for pork an' rent. 



[29] 



WHERE HEARTS ARE GAY 

Way doun South where de wild rose grows 
By de stream as de water flows. 
Gently through de ca'm bright night 
'Neath de twinklin' starry light; 
Tripple, tripple, night an' day, 
Dats where hearts are gay. 

Way doun South where de robins sing 
Through de fair bright days of spring, 
'Mong de growin' lilies fair. 
Where de fragrance fills de air, 
W'ile de sunbeams dance an' play, 
Dats where hearts are gay. 

Way doun South where de ruslin' cane 
Makes a joyful, sweet refrain. 
As de coolin' breezes bio' 
Through de meadow to an' fro; 
Way doun hom', in de South I say, 
Dats where hearts are gay. 

Way doun South in de silent grave 
Sleep de noble an' de brave; 
From dere labor an' dere toil, 
Restin' safe in de homeland soil; 
Where de sunbeams dance an' play, 
Dats where hearts are gay. 



[30] 



HOME INSTRUCTION 

Wen a lady gea you bread 
You say, " Thank you mam "; 
She may gea you something mo', 
'Ha's a slice of ham. 

Wen you meet 'em in de road 
Gea yo' hat a raise; 
Make a bow an' speech to dem 
But don' stop an' gaize. 

Wen you see a door is shut 
Gea a rap or two; 
Something like dis, rap, rap, rap ! 
Dats de way to do. 

If dey 'vite you in to eat, 
Don' eat wid yo' han' ; 
Use yo' knife, yo' fork an' spoon, 
Like a little man. 

You mus' try to be perlite 
Every way you go; 
Dats de kind o' seed to choose, 
An' de kind to so'. 



[31] 



THE NEW YEAR'S RESOLVE 

Another year has passed away. 
The New Year comes, but not to stay; 
I will put my cares on Jesus Christ, 
When the Old with the New Year makes 
tryst. 

Within all evil thoughts shall die, 
And holy ones yearn toward the sky; 
Then all my griefs shall pass away, 
And every day be a holy day. 

I have blundered Lord along the road, 
But now I walk with lightened load; 
Help me to keep that which is right 
Beginning on this New Year's night. 



[32j 



LABOR ON 

Labor w'ile the sun is bright, 

Pray an' labor on; 

Labor on wid earnest hearts 

Till de day is gone; 

Labor dough de clouds be lo', 

Labor dough de work be hard, 

Pray an' labor on. 

Labor w'ile de day is fair; 
Sing an' labor on; 
Labor fur a wurthy cause, 
March an' labor on; 
Labor not fur self alone. 
Labor fur yo' brother too. 
Sing an' labor on. 

Labor dough de win' may bio', 

Labor all de day; 

He will sho' you w'at to do 

An' prepare de way; 

Labor 'fo' de sun is down. 

Labor fur a righteous crown. 

Pray an' labor on. 

Labor dough de day be long, 

Fight an' labor on; 

Labor fur a happy horn', 

Pray an' labor on; 

Labor dough de way be dark. 

Pray to Him wid earnest heart, 

Sing an' labor on. 

[33] 



FORGET ME NOT 

Will you think of me my dear, 
Wile I am erway? 
I am goin' fur frum you, 
But I cannot stay. 

Wen I think of leavin' you, 
I sit doun an' cry; 
Thinkin' w'at I'm goin' to do, 
Wen I say goodbye. 

Love is treasured in my heart, 
An' its all fur you; 
I will ever think of you, 
An' I will be true. 

Wen I have return to you, 
I don't want to tarry; 
If you really care fur me. 
We will go an' marry. 

Will you truly promise me 
Wen I cease to roam. 
That you'll come and live wid me 
In a lovin' home? 

Think of me my little dear 
Wile I am erway; 
An' set de erpointed time 
Fur de weddin' day. 



[34] 



ANNOYANCE 

Hush! I hyeah a mighty singin' 
Over on de hill, 

Goodness, wish you' stop yo' fuss, 
An' learn to be still. 

Singin' soundin' mighty good, 
Wish I could be dere. 
Sit doun dere an' hush yo' mouth, 
An' plat up yo' hair. 

You can't hyeah me w'en I talk 
Can't you keep still som' ? 
W'en I git through wid you Mis', 
You will go frum hom.' 

I can't hyeah a single thing, 
Dat goes on eroun', 
Fur you makin' all yo' noise, 
You are out 'er boun'. 

Ebery night you sit eroun', 
Hollerin' like a fool; 
I's goin' buy a book fur you, 
An' send you to school. 

I don' want yer growin' up 
So much like a nigger; 
You must le'rn to read an' write, 
Cypher, add, an' figger. 

Dere are nufF o' peoples now, 
Who can't read an' write; 
You mus' stop yo' nigger ways, 
An' act like you white. 

[35] 



DER FIDDLE IS MY 
COMFORT 

Wen I wake up in der morn 

Feelin' kind o' tir'd an' sad, 

I begin to sing a song 

Dat will make me kind o' glad; 

Dis ole fiddle is my comfort, 

In de mornin' an' at noon, 

You kin hyeah de strings a singin/ 

In a high an' 'lodious tune. 

Wen I stop my work at twelve. 
Wet wid sweat an' hungry too, 
I jest play till Milly come 
An' say Silas, dat will do. 
Dis 's a good 'ole piece to play, 
'Twas my daddy's-daddy's song, 
An' 'tis as good an' sweet 
As de honey in de corn. 

Ebery night befo'e I sleep 
You kin hyeah de fiddle strin',' 
Playin' out so loud an' sweet 
On de current of de win'. 
Milly, she jest sit an' listen 
Wid de children on hur knee; 
To de fiddle as it whistle 
Lack a luttle chicakadee. 



[36] 



THE FAVORITE DIET 

I don' ker 'bout yo' cake an' pie, 
An' ne'ther 'bout yo' chicken; 
I wouldn't give a dime fur all 
Dat you have in yo' kitchen; 
Wen I come doun to visit you, 
I'll eat what please the masses; 
Make t'ings as common as you kin. 
An' gea me bread an' lasses. 

Folks talk erbout dere po'k an' ham. 
An' dat bolognial sausage; 
But I purfer dat sweeten t'ing 
Dat pou's out through ah fausage; 
Wen I sit doun to eat a meal, 
No matter 'tis what passes, 
Dere's nothin' dat will suit my taste. 
Lack good ole bread an' lasses. 

I sho' enjoy'd my supper here, 

It wus so nice an' fine; 
A luttle cake an' cream will do 

To suit this taste of mine. 
In spite of all de cake an' cream, 

Upon your table passes, 
I wish dat you had brought to me 

A plate of bread an' lasses. 



37] 



GOOD AFTER ILL 

Win's are blowin' on ahaid us, 
Rain is fallin' fas'; 
Never mind it, keep er goin', 
Soon it all will pas'. 

We may git a little tirid 
Fo'e we reach de end; 
But jest take a little courage, 
Ebery now and den. 

We may have a many ackin' 
An' a many pain; 
But remember dat ole sayin' 
^' Sunshine after rain." 

We may see a many days 
Dat we think are night; 
But we kno' dat after darkness 
Dere will be a light. 



[38] 



THE PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL 

Jesus my King in Thee I trust 
With ail my soul and heart; 

Within Thy footsteps I will walk 
And never will depart. 

Jesus the source of all my strength, 

The light by which I see; 
Help me to praise Thy Holy name 

Till I am home with Thee. 



[39J 



A DAILY PRAYER 

Help me O Lords ^ face the coming foes, 
Help me I pray to win; 
Teach me the wisdom of the age, 
And keep me free from sin. 

When darkness dwells along my rugged path, 

Help me to fight and pray; 

And sing Thy psalms, though Thee I may not 

see, 
Until the dawn of day. 

Keep me O Lord, within Thy shepherd's fold, 
Keep me beneath Thy wing; 
Guide me until I reach the blissful shore, 
Where I will see my King. 



[40] 



KEEP ME, JESUS KEEP ME 

Keep me 'neath Thy mighty wing> 

Keep me, Jesus keep me; 

Help me praise Thy Holy name, 

Keep me, Jesus keep me. 

O my Lamb, come my Lamb, 

O my good Lamb, 

Save me, Jesus, save me. 

Hear me as I cry to Thee; 
Keep me, Jesus keep me; 
May I that bright glory see; 
Keep me, Jesus, keep me. 
O my Lamb, my good Lamb, 
O my good Lamb, 
Keep me, Jesus, keep me. 



[41] 



RUN ON HOME 

(Melody) 

Don't you hyeah de masser callin'j 

Come on children, come on hom'; 

Run ca'se yonder's mount is fallin', 

Run on children, run on hom'; 

Come on to yo' Jesus, run on to yo' horn', 

Lay yo' heavy burden doun, 

Run on, run on hom'. 

He is waitin' to receive yo'. 

Come on children, come on hom'; 

All he say to yo' is true, 

Run on children, run on hom'. 

Run on to yo' Jesus, run on to yo' hom', 

Run bef oe ole Satin come, 

Come on, come on hom'. 

Hyeah Him He is softly callin', 
Come on children, come on hom'; 
Run ca'se yonder's mount is fallin', 
Run on children, run on hom'; 
Run on to yo' Jesus, run on to yo' hom', 
Run ca'se yonder's rocks will fall, 
Run on, run on hom'. 



[42] 



SING ON TO JESUS 

(Melody) 

Come on children, sing a song of praise; 
Sing on, sing on to Jesus. 
He is risen from the lonely grave; 
Sing on, sing on to Jesus. 

Sing on, pray on, Jesus still lives; 
Sing on, pray on, Jesus still lives; 
Fight on, march on, till the dawn of day; 
Fight on, march on, don't forget to pray. 

Sing on children, he is gone above; 

Sing on, sing on, to Jesus; 
Walk and live in His abiding love; 

Sing on, sing on, to Jesus. 

Come on children, march around the walls 

Sing on, sing on, to Jesus; 
Yonder walls soon will rock and fall; 

Sing on, sing on, to Jesus. 

Sing on, pray on, Jesus still lives; 
Sing on, pray on, Jesus still lives; 
Fight on, march on, till the dawn of day; 
Fight on, march on, don't forget to pray. 



[43] 



SEEK THE LOST 

Hush! 'tis a voice I hear afar, 
Hear ye the doleful cries! 
Some one is suffering in the storm, 
Go seek him ere he dies. 

I pity him in his distress; 
He cries under Heaven's dome; 
Let's seek until we find the lost, 
And bring him safely home. 

At last — here lies the dying lad, 
Come, now, we'll kneel and pray; 
Oh! see it is our darling son, 
Who long since went astray. 

What pain, what grief I suffer now, 
As I embrace my son; 
Breathing his last and fainting breath — 
My life, it seems, is done. 

There are many sons today are lost 
On life's stormy ocean foam; 
Let's seek them while they wander lost, 
And bring them safely home. 



r44i 



" YOU'LL REAP WHAT YOU SOW " 

If you plant a row of corn 
You can't reap no wheat; 
If you plant a row o' beans 
Don't expect a beet. 

W'en you plant yo' sweet pertater 
You don' look fur beans; 
If you plant a row of peas, 
You don' look fur greens. 

If you steal frum any body 
Some will steal frum you; 
You kin try it if you wan'er, 
You will find it true. 

If we sow a seed o' kindes' 
We will reap de same; 
Let us sow dem every day 
In our Savior's name. 



[45] 



MOVE ON 

Wen yo' life is full o' trouble, 

Don' complain; 

We mus' have our daily toil. 

An' our pain; 

Take it as it goes an' comes, 

Ebery day; 

Keep a fightin' an a marchin' 

On de way. 

Wen yo' load is gettin' heavy, 

Don' give up; 

Soon de bitter drugs will go 

Frum yo' cup; 

Don' keer how de sun is shinin'. 

Walk right on, 

Till you take de load you carry, 

To yo' hom'. 

Wen de clouds are hangin' heavy, 

Hurry on; 

Try yo' best to make it over 

To yo' hom' ; 

Never stop to fool erlong. 

On de way; 

Keep a marchin' an' a fightin', 

All de day. 



[46] 



THE DEPARTURE 

I am feelin' kind o' sad 

'Bout my mother dear. 

Though she died an' left me hyeah, 

Soon will be a year; 

It is putty hard an' sad 

Wen yo' mother's cross de foam; 

An' you cannot hyeah her voice 

Nowhere in de hom'. 

Wen I come in from work 

I sit doun an' sigh 

O'er de words she spoke to me 

Jes' befo' she die; 

She is gone to heaven's land 

Never to return — 

An' she caution'd me to live 

Ever true an' firm. 

Who will take me in dere care 
Wen I am in trouble; 
An' will come to cherish me 
Wen de mourns are double? 
Wen yo' mother pass erway 
You will have it tough; 
As you walk erlong de roads 
You will find 'em rough. 

I remember'd good an' plain 
How she use to toil, 
'Rangin' t'ings erbout de house 
Fur us to enjoy; 

[ 47 ] 



Who will speak a word o' cheer 
Wen Fs feeling' sad, 
Cannot say, mother's gone — 
She wus all I had. 

If you Stan' eroun' de bed 
Wen yo' mother is dyin', 
You can't help frum feelin' sad, 
An' can't keep frum cryin'; 
One thing gea me consulation =— 
We will meet ergin, 
In de land of joy an' res', 
Dat is free from sin. 



[48] 



'TWAS MOTHER 

Who rock'd me w'en I wus a babe, 
My mother to be sure; 
Who loved me dough I act'd rude, 
Mother sweet and pure. 

Who toil'd wid me both night and day, 
Mother kind an' dear; 
Who sought me w'en I went estray. 
Mother, mother dear. 

Who shar'd my sorrows every day. 
Mother, mother mine; 
What taught me how to sing an' pray? 
'Twas Mother's love divine. 

Oh mother dear has passed away. 
Mother, mother mine; 
An' bade me come to res' wid her, 
In Paradise divine! 



[49] 



THE MOTHER'S FAREWELL TO HER 

SON 

My loving son, my message is 
As I bid you goodbye, 
That you must ever put your trust 
In God until you die. 

Here is a jewel I'll give to you, 
Retain it through your life — 
'Twill help you when all helpers fail 
In overcoming strife. 

Take then my son this precious jewel. 
It's dear, it's real and pure; 
This jewel is these precious words, 
Be honest, kind and true. 

Your foes may come on every side, 
And tempter's powers assail you, 
But keep in mind this precious jewel — 
Be honest, kind and true. 



[50] 



TAKE ME HOME 

Take me to my horn' in Dixie fur erway 

Where my mother an' de children all are gay, 

Take me dere an' let me die. 

At my mother's side to lie. 

Wile the good ole preacher come eroun' to pray. 

Take me to my horn' in Dixie bright an' fair, 
Where de purfum' frum de flowers fill de air. 
Take me dere to res' w'en bre'th 
Weakens to its song of de'th, 
An' dey ring de bell of peace slow and clear. 

Take me to my hom' in Dixie where I'll res' 

Till de angles come an' call me to de tes'; 

Take me dere an' let me see 

De ole shady hic'ry tree, 

Where de robin an' de sparrow' make dere nes'. 

Take me to my hom' in Dixie on de farm 
Whar my childhood days were free frum care 

and harm; 
Take me dere an' let me look 
At my hom' beside de brook, 
Where the days went passin' free of life's alarm. 

Take me to my hom' in Dixie where I'll res' 
Till de angels come an' call me to de tes'; 

Make fur me a lowly grave 

On de hill ermong de brave, 
W'en dey fold my arms in de'th on my bres'. 



[51] 



THE DAY OF REPENTANCE 

Doun in de valley I went one day 
Wid head hung low w'ile on my way, 
I heard a voice but I could not see, 
An' it seem'd to say dat " God loves me." 

Doun in de valley I went one day 

Wid a heavy heart w'ile on my way, 

I heard a song but I could not see, 

An' it seem'd to say, dat '' God loves me." 

Doun in de valley I knelt an' pray, 
Askin' fur a brighter day; 
Wen I raise up I could plainly see 
A shinin' light, sayin' " Come to me." 



[52] 



WHAT HAVE I DONE 

What good deed have I done today 
To cheer a weary soul, 
That he might feel a touch of love 
While struggling toward the goal. 

What seed of cheer have I sown today, 
To lift the fainting head; 
Of a soul that crept along the way 
In need of drink and bread? 

What psalm of praise have I sung today 
To hearts sad of grief and pain, 
As they went troubled down the path 
In life's merciless rain? 



[53] 



WHEN THE WAY SEEMS DARK 

W'en through life the way seems dark, 
Look to God an' do yo' best; 
Work wid willin' han' an' heart; 
He will give you ceaseless rest. 

W'en your path is long an' roughs 
Pressin' let yo' zeal be shown, 
Till you see the King above, 
Settin' on de golden throne. 

Never murmur or complain, 
But be thankful fur yo' share; 
Life is naught without a pain, 
Useless without toil and care. 



[54] 



IN THE HOUR OF DEATH 

In de hour of death when all am still, 
An' de night am dark an' col' 
Wat faintin' word can den be heard. 
To save our dyin' soul? 

In de hour of death w'en de end am near 
An' de heart am beatin' slo' 
Wat psalm of praise can de mourner raise 
As death raps at de do'. 

In de hour of death w'en de debt am paid 
An' we breathe de las' goodbye 
In dat sad day w'at can we say 
As death un'loose de tie. 



[55] 



EVENTIDE 

Softly the shades of evening fall 
O'er the cheerful hills and vales, 
Whispering to the weary eyes 
Saying, " lay your burden by; 
You have labored at your best. 
Go now, take your rest." 

Softly the shades of evening fall 
O'er the heads of every one. 
Smiling as they dance and play 
O'er the merry and the gay; 
Saying as they softly creep, 
" Go now, take your sleep." 

Softly the shades of evening dwell 
Till the dawning of the morn, 
Smiling as they dance away 
From the merry and the gay; 
Saying as they softly creep, 
" 'Wake now from your sleep." 



[56] 



WINTER IS COMING 

De winter days are drawin' nigh 
An' by the fire I sets an' sigh; 
De nothe'n win' is blowin' cold, 
Like it done in days of old. 

De yaller leafs are fallin' fas', 
Fur summer days is been an' pas'; 
The air is blowin' mighty cold. 
Like it done in days of old. 

De frost is fallin' on de gras'. 
An' seem to say " Dis is yo' las' " 
De air is blowin' mighty cold 
Like it done in days of old. 



[57] 



THE COMBAT 

Wile doun de narrow path o' life 
I march wid hope to reach de goal 
As I attempts to do de thing dats right 
Evil gits within my weary soul. 

Each day I struggle on through life 
As bes' I kin to reach de goal. 
But when I stops de struggle fo' to res^ 
Evil gits within my weary soul. 



[58] 



RED, WHITE, AND BLUE 

Red, white an' blue 
Gleamin' in the air; 
Kind, dear an' true, 
Is de name dey bear. 

Red, white an' blue. 
Flag of mother mine; 
Teach us w'at to do, 
Till de end of time. 

Flag of our home 
In a foreign air; 
Fightin' 'gainst de wrong. 
Is yo' mission dere. 

Flag wid twinklin' stars. 
May you ever wave. 
On yo' staff above 
All dats good an' brave. 



[59] 



SING OUT FOR PEACE 

Sing out, sing clear, the true and brave, 
That peace may o'er the land prevail; 
Sing on in joy with every land, 
That peace may come to man. 

Sing out, sing loud, the old and young, 
Sing all beneath the gleaming sun; 
Sing as thou walk'st, sing as thou stand'st, 
That peace may come to man. 

Sing out, sing glad, the great and small, 
That peace may flourish over all; 
Let echoes ring o'er every land. 
That peace may come to all. 

Sing out, sing true, the high and low. 
Sing as we on to glory go; 
Sing on in joy with every strand, 
That peace may come to man. 



[60] 12S 








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